¹The proverbs of Solomon …

Now comes the proverbial statements for which Solomon is famous. He has already introduced the entire book with his identifying signature and pedigree, “The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel.” While chapters 1-9 form a preamble to teaching wisdom, chapter 10 formally begins the actual proverbs themselves; this new section of the book begins with Solomon repeating his signature in simplified form. Everything to this point lays the foundation on which the following inspired proverbial statements are built.

These are not just a set of optional wise sayings that ought to take their place among the broader collection of wisdom sayings from the ancient world. No, the greatest wisdom is that which rests on the fear of the Lord, without which one can selectively choose (cherry-pick) the proverbs that one likes and ignore the rest. In so doing, mere humans place themselves in the position of arbiters of wisdom; and this leaves a person wisdom-poor. The wisdom in this book is God’s wisdom, and it makes sense that some of God’s wisdom is found in human wisdom. The difference is found in the preamble, the fear of the Lord empowers God’s wisdom for us!

The rest of the book provides a seemingly random list of proverbs, with little discernable thematic progress for each chapter. Each section contains assorted statements standing on their own, with various topics addressed throughout. Therefore, one can read through them consecutively, taking them as they come, or follow specific themes. For example, many proverbs address how a person can speak wisely, controlling how one verbally interacts with others; these are not all in one place but distributed across many chapters.

The unifying theme of the collection of all the proverbs, though, is clear: commentator William MacDonald captures the idea well:

Proverbs is the world’s finest collection of sound, sanctified common sense, written so that young people might not have to make some of the dreary mistakes their elders have made. (BBC)

The form of the proverbial statements can be described as pithy, concisely worded proclamations. Hebrew scholar Dr. Ross Allen describes them this way:

A proverb may be described as an object lesson based on or using some comparison or analogy. It may be a short saying that provides a general truth, a lesson drawn from experience, a common example or a pattern of future blessing or cursing. The purpose of a proverb is to help one choose the best course of action among those available—the foolish way is to be avoided and the wise way followed. (EBC)

King Solomon personally records his first collection of proverbs, comprising fifteen chapters (10-24). Additionally, more of his wisdom was preserved in chapters 25-29 by unnamed associates of king Hezekiah (25:1), one of Solomon’s few godly royal descendants (25:1). The last two chapters include wisdom from two other sources besides Solomon. Chapter 30 reflects the teaching of an otherwise unknown individual named Augur. The final chapter, 31, relates the wisdom of the mother of a king named Lemuel. Of this person, we know nothing other than what is recorded here; he is recorded nowhere else in Scripture.

Regardless of authorship, the ancient Jews recognized this book as Scripture and included it in the OT canon. Yet, the wisdom of proverbs validates itself. None other than our Lord Jesus said, “[W]isdom is vindicated by all her children” (Luke 7:35), meaning that the truth and insight of wisdom will become evident in time by its results.

Lord, help me understand the divine genius of the biblical proverbs so that I may continuously grow in godly wisdom for all of life.